John Wayne and America’s Bicentennial

Above, John Wayne in the Cody, Wyoming Bicentennial Parade.

Fifty years ago, the nation celebrated its Bicentennial. 

Part of the celebration included events in Cody, Wyoming. The Cody Firearms Museum was dedicated. A big parade was held in Cody. Its grand marshall: John Wayne.

JohnWayne.com posted an article on those events of fifty years ago.

It begins with:

What is the story behind the custom Winchester presented to John Wayne during America’s Bicentennial in Cody, Wyoming? On July 4, 1976, John Wayne traveled to Cody, Wyoming, to celebrate America’s Bicentennial as Grand Marshal of the Cody Stampede Parade. During the celebration, he rang one of four commemorative Liberty Bells, dedicated the new Cody Firearms Museum and received a custom Winchester rifle presented in honor of the nation’s 200th anniversary.

When America celebrates a milestone birthday, John Wayne is never far away. As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, it is worth remembering how the Duke helped celebrate the nation’s Bicentennial fifty years earlier. His appearance in Buffalo Bill’s hometown reflected not only his enduring connection to the American West, but also one of the busiest periods of his career.

Above, the Cody Firearms Museum is now housed at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Wyoming Eye Candy - Cody Show Prep 2026

Wyoming Eye Candy - Cody Show Prep 2026 video by The Cinnabar. 

Summary:

Join us as we look over some of the projects we're working on in preparation for the upcoming Winchester Arms Collectors Association show here in Cody.

Cody's Giant Winchester

Above, Cody's giant Winchester. Roadside America photo.

Last year, Mitch Geriminsky and I went to Cody, Wyoming to attend the Winchester Arms Collectors Association (WACA) gun show and to visit the Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

While in Cody, we also stopped by the Irma Hotel for dinner. Unbeknownst to us, near the Irma Hotel a 30 foot Winchester lever action would be displayed atop a gun store's roof. 

I just found out about this last evening.

According to Cowboy State Daily:

Fifty years ago, the highlight of the Cody Stampede Parade marking America’s bicentennial celebration was a 30-foot-long .30-30 Winchester rifle, dominating a float that also carried legendary Western actor John Wayne.

That rifle has been sitting atop a storefront in downtown Cody since. 

Everyone loves the giant Winchester, so they might have noticed when it recently suddenly disappeared from the roof where it had been prominently displayed since its trip down Sheridan Avenue decades earlier.

Like John Wayne himself, Cody’s giant Winchester rifle is coming back, better than ever, for another 50 years dominating Cody’s historic downtown.

“We're putting it back to what it was in 1976, as best we can,” said Mike Darby, owner of the Irma Hotel and the giant Winchester. “I can’t confirm or deny what we’re going to do with it, but we’re hoping to have it done by July 3.”

Apparently, the Winchester was removed before our arrival. 

To read more, go here. 

To read Roadside America's entry, go here.

"Winchester: 160 Years In the Making" Exhibit

Above, the exhibit. Facebook image by the Cody Firearms Museum.

Last summer, Mitch Geriminsky and I visited the Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming. 

Actually, I visited it twice. I visited it a second time two days after the first.

They have a new temporary exhibit in Winchester firearms.

According to their Facebook post:

The Cody Firearms Museum is pleased to present our newest temporary exhibit, "Winchester: 160 Years in the Making." This display is in collaboration with the Ars Mechanica Foundation of the FN Browning Group and features 60 Winchester firearms arranged in chronological order, encompassing 160 years of Winchester's history. 

The Cody Firearms Museum is housed in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and is well worth a visit.

For more information on the museum, go here. 

Winchester Arms Collectors Association (WACA)

Above, the 2025 WACA show in Cody, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are Winchester arms enthusiasts, the Winchester Arms Collectors Association (WACA) just may be for you.

Last summer, a friend and I attended the WACA Show in Cody, Wyoming. It had to be one of the biggest gun show I've ever attended (the Great Western Gun Show, which occupied several buildings at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in the 1980s, had to have been the largest).

I was considering attending this year's show, but after having a new roof installed on the house, funds for such a trip to Cody was not in the cards for me. 

This year's Cody show will take place July 10 - 12. Their Midwestern Show in Wellington, Ohio takes place on September 26 - 27. 

What is the Winchester Arms Collectors Association? 

From the official website: 

The Winchester Arms Collectors Association (WACA) is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation with a worldwide membership of over 3,000 individuals. WACA was organized in July 1977, incorporated February 21, 1978, in the State of Montana and has been NRA affiliated (#G8143) since 1978.

Our members are devoted to the preservation, understanding and collecting of Winchester firearms and related products as well as the role these products had in forging America’s heritage.

The Winchester Collector, a quarterly publication, is dedicated to the collecting of Winchester Firearms and related Memorabilia. It includes Winchester related articles, highlights from our shows and events, as well as calendar updates and classified ads. We encourage our members to contribute to our publications, as we showcase our members’ favorite Winchesters.

We currently produce the WACA Show in Cody, WY, and as an association attend shows in Wellington, OH, and Las Vegas, NV.  Members receive free admission to the Cody Show during public show hours.  Cody Show awards include specially sculpted bronze plaques, winners’ names added to the highly-coveted George Madis Best Educational and Glenn Hockett Best of Show trophies, and cash awards.  We encourage our members to participate in all Winchester shows.

Above, yours truly at the 2025 WACA show in Cody. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

The WACA annual membership is $55. 

Their Antique Arms Show in Las Vegas is a lot more closer to home for me. That show will take place January 22-23, 2027.

For more information, go to:  https://winchestercollector.org/

Winchester Firearms: History, Innovation, and Legacy

Above, Winchester rifles at the 2025 Winchester Arns Collectors
Association show in Cody, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are into history and firearms, the following should be of great interest.

It is a slideshow by MSN on the history, innovation and legacy of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. 

It starts out with:

From Oliver Winchester’s 19th-century entry into the firearms industry to modern production, Winchester’s history is marked by groundbreaking designs and enduring cultural impact. The gallery traces key rifle and shotgun models, influential designers like Benjamin Tyler Henry and John Browning, and the development of iconic cartridges such as the .44-40 WCF, .30-30, .270, and .308 Winchester. It also explores the brand’s role in the American frontier, its survival through corporate changes, and its lasting place in hunting traditions and firearm heritage.

To read more, go here. 

Why Lever Action Rifles Still Win Hearts

Above, yours truly at the Winchester Arms Collectors Show
 in Cody, Wyoming last year. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Lever-action rifles have seen a surge in popularity. 

This has been more pronounced following the COVID pandemic of six years ago. Ever since I bought my Winchester 94 in 2019, I have noticed not only the surge in popularity of lever-actions, but prices for them as well. 

MSN posted an article on why lever-action rifles are still winning hearts.

They begin with:

Lever action rifles blend history, practicality, and pure shooting joy. From the iconic Winchester 1894 to modern Henrys, they remain beloved for their speed, handling, and personal connection. Whether for hunting, collecting, or range fun, their charm endures beyond pure performance specs.

The enduring magic of lever guns

Lever action rifles have been trusted companions for well over a century, offering a fast, intuitive shooting experience that connects shooters to a rich history. Whether it’s the Winchester 1873’s role in taming the West or the Marlin 336’s place in countless deer camps, these rifles carry stories in every scratch and worn grip. Modern versions keep the tradition alive while adding refinements for today’s shooters.

To read more, go here. 

2026 WACA Gun Show Flyer

Up until recently, I was thinking about attending this year's Winchester Arms Collectors Association gun show in Cody, Wyoming. I was considering flying there instead of driving.

Well, as things happen, I had to re-roof my house with drained much of my savings. So, I am forced to forego the trip.

However, in someone reading this wants to attend, the Winchester Arms Collectors Association posted this:

2025 Review

Above, yours truly with the statue of Buffalo Bill Cody at the
 Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

2025 is nearly over. Overall, it hasn't been too bad for me.

But it did start off on a sad note as long-time friend and fellow G-fan Richard Pusateri passed away on my birthday in February from cancer. I did honor his memory in September by making a donation to the John Wayne Cancer Foundation at the Foundation's marathon near Moab, Utah. I directly give the donation to the Duke's youngest son Ethan.

Above, with Ethan Wayne with my donation to the John Wayne Cancer Foundation in Richard Pusateri's memory. 

I did a lot of traveling during the year. The first was to the spring clamp-out of the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus in April. The clamp-out was held in Quartzsite, Arizona. 

Healthwise, I am doing fine. I had a Lexi-scan this year and my coronary arteries have no developing plaques. That's a relief!

Above, Mitch and I about to dine at the Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming.

Next on the travel agenda, Mitch Geriminsky and I took an RV trip up to Cody, Wyoming to attend the Winchester Arms Collectors Association's gun show and visit the gun museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Both were enjoyable. From there, we went to the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana where Custer and his troops met their demise. After that, we headed to Devils Tower in Wyoming and then to  the Black Hills of South Dakota. We stayed at a KOA Kampground in Deadwood and visited Mount Rushmore and Chief Crazy Horse Memorial. It was a trip I wanted to do since 2020, but the pandemic put a nix on those plans.

Above, yours truly at the Winchester Collectors
Association gun show in Cody. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

I then headed to Des Moines to help my ex-roommate Jessica with packing some belongings and putting them in storage in October. I returned there two weeks ago to help her move from Iowa to California and drove about 2,000 miles to Orange County, California in a U-Haul truck with a car carrier trailer. That trip took about a week. 

Locally, our group did some target shooting at the shooting area next to our community on two occasions. We get together on Tuesdays at Denny's at the Flying J in Jamestown and Saturdays at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup. 

Above, the gang at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup. Russell Azbill,
who died a month later, is in the foreground in the dark shirt. 

Unfortunately, one member of our group, Russell Azbill, passed away in October at home. Apparently, he suffered a heart attack while retrieving a package at his gate. His body was found on his front porch. He was a nice guy and we had similar paranormal interests. He is missed. 

Above, sushi dinner in Ankeny, Iowa with Jessica.

During the summer, I did attend a couple of rodeos. One was the Lions Club Rodeo and the other was the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. Both were at Red Rock Park. 

Weather-wise, our monsoon rains came late and, so far, we've received little snow. We can sure use more precipitation. 

I will be spending Christmas again this year at the Geriminsky's in Lake Havasu. Again, more traveling. 

The Most Expensive Lever-Action Rifle Costs a Whopping $850

Above, Winchester lever-actions at the Winchester Arms Collectors
 Show in Cody, Wyoming in July. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is interesting that interest in lever-action rifles has been surging during these past few years.

Much of it may be the nostalgic factors, but people are finding these rifles fun to shoot. I enjoy shooting my Winchester 94 in .30-30 cal. made in 1962. I was lucky to get it six years ago before prices started to skyrocket.

MSN has posted a slideshow of the most expensive lever-actions.

They begin it with:

When you think about some of the most important rifles, the lever-action rifle is an American staple. A uniquely American rifle, the lever action has become familiar to any Western movie fan. However, before Hollywood, the US military incorporated the lever-action rifle into the Civil War, and American law enforcement also widely used it during the first half of the 20th century. 

Today, you’re more likely to find lever-action rifles in a gun cabinet displayed by collectors than in practical use. The lone exception is at a gun show, where you might have exhibitors and stunt rifle people showing off rifles from back in the day. Data from Gun Genius was used to analyze recent sales and create a list in descending order to look at the most famous lever-action rifles.

To see what they are, go here. 

Cody's Irma Hotel

Above, a gunfight show taking place outside of the Irma Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last summer, friend Mitch Geriminsky and I visited Cody, Wyoming to attend the Winchester Arms Collectors Gun Show and visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

While roaming around Cody, we went to the Irma Hotel for dinner and browsing around. The food was good, by the way!

The hotel was built by Buffalo Bill in 1902.

Above, trophies on walls near the restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From the hotel's website:

Built by Buffalo Bill in 1902, this historic hotel in central Cody is an 8-minute walk from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and 9.8 miles from Buffalo Bill State Park.

Spartan rooms have TVs and coffeemakers; some offer Western-style furnishings and elevated ceilings. Buffalo Bill's private suites is also available.

Free parking is provided. Additional amenities include a restaurant, an Old West-style saloon, a gift shop and a porch.

Above, Mitch and I about to have dinner at the Irma Hotel's restaurant.

From Wikipedia:

The Irma Hotel is a landmark in Cody, Wyoming. It was built by William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the city's co-founder and namesake who named it after his daughter Irma Cody. A focal point is a famous back bar made of cherry that was a gift given by Queen Victoria to Buffalo Bill.

The Irma opened with a party on November 18, 1902, to which Cody invited the press and dignitaries from as far away as Boston. The hotel quickly became the social center of Cody. In the meantime, Buffalo Bill was under pressure from creditors and was forced to sign over the hotel to his wife Louisa in 1913, who was at that time on bad terms with him. After Cody's death in 1917 the hotel was foreclosed upon and sold to Barney Link. Before the end of the year Link's estate sold the property back to Louisa, who kept it until she died in 1925. The new owners, Henry and Pearl Newell, gradually expanded the hotel, building an annex around 1930 on the west side to accommodate automobile-borne visitors. After her husband's death in 1940, Pearl Newell operated the hotel until her own death in 1965. She left the hotel's extensive collection of Buffalo Bill memorabilia to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, and stipulated that proceeds from the estate be used as an endowment for the museum.

A visit to the Irma Hotel is well worth it. During the summer, gunfight shows take place outside of the hotel.

To access the hotel's website, go here. 

Wonderful Museums: Gun Museum Cody

Above, one of the displays at the Cody Firearms Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming received a good write-up at Wonderful Museums.

If gives a detailed description on what visitors would see at the museum. I went there last July and toured it twice. 

The article begins with:

The first time I really got a deep, almost visceral understanding of the sheer historical weight and engineering genius behind firearms wasn’t from a dusty old book or a grainy documentary. No, it was when I finally made the pilgrimage to the famed gun museum Cody, officially known as the Cody Firearms Museum, nestled within the magnificent Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. For years, I’d heard whispers, seen glimpses in magazines, and always felt this nagging curiosity about what truly made this place the “Smithsonian of firearms.” My perception, like many folks’, was probably a mix of intrigue and perhaps a touch of apprehension, fueled by a general lack of understanding about the historical context of these instruments. I wanted to move beyond the headlines and the polarized debates, to actually see and feel the history, the artistry, and the profound impact firearms have had on human endeavor. And let me tell you, what I found there didn’t just meet my expectations; it shattered them, offering an unparalleled journey into the very soul of America’s industrial and cultural story.

The Cody Firearms Museum is, without a doubt, the world’s most comprehensive collection of American firearms, presenting an exhaustive chronological and technological journey through the evolution of personal weaponry. It stands as an indispensable resource for historians, enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the intricate relationship between firearms, innovation, and the shaping of nations, particularly the United States. Its significance extends far beyond mere display; it serves as a critical repository for understanding industrial design, military strategy, and the everyday lives of people from the colonial era to the modern age, all within the robust framework of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Above, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Cody Firearms Museum

Above, just a few of the many rifles on display at the Cody Firearms Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last July, Mitch Geriminsky and I paid a visit (actually, I visited it twice) to the Cody Firearms Museum at the the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.

If anyone has even a remote interest in firearms, this place is a must-see. 

Above, yours truly at the front of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

According to the official website:

A Must-See Wild West Museum

The Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming is a bucket-list experience for a reason. Completely redesigned in 2019, it’s the most comprehensive firearms museum in the United States, with more than 4,000 firearms and over 10,000 total artifacts spanning centuries of history. Step into immersive exhibits that explore firearms in the American West, military history, physics, engraving, and more. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, collector, or simply curious, the museum offers a dynamic and thought-provoking experience that informs, inspires, and sparks meaningful conversations—making it a must-visit destination in the Cody and Yellowstone area. It’s more than a museum; it’s a journey through innovation, artistry, and the stories that shaped history. Plan to spend time here—you’ll want to see it all.

Above, a pull-out cabinet of Winchesters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The price of an admission ticket allows two visits to the Center museums in a week. 

For more information of the Cody Firearms Museum, go here.

2026 WACA Show July 10-11-12, 2026 In Cody

Above, yours truly at the 2025 WACA show. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Last July, Mitch Geriminsky and I attended the Winchester Arms Collectors Association Show in Cody, Wyoming. 

We spent several hours browsing through over 300 tables of firearms, mainly Winchesters. It was the first day of show open to the public. 

Above, some Winchester lever-actions on display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While everyone was friendly and there were some interesting guns, I found that most seemed to be a bit overpriced. Perhaps if we went on the last day, sellers may be amenable to lower their prices so not to have to pack up their guns and make enough moolah to cover the cost of their tables. 

Above, the 2025 WACA show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I may go back to the show next year. I haven't yet decided. It will be held on July 10-11-12, 2026 at Riley Arena, 1400 Heart Mountain Street, Cody, WY.

If I do go, I may just fly to Cody (it is a long drive from home) and just get a hotel room. 

For more information, go here.

Curious Relics #120: Winchester Model 1894 Part II

Above, the writer's grandfather's Winchester 1894. Writer's photo.

Part 2 of Curious Relics #119 - Winchester 1894 has been posted at AllOutdoor.

This time, the focus is of the differing variations that the Winchester 1894 were made available over the years by Winchester. The explanations on the variations are the most well written that I have seen to date.

It begins with:

Welcome, if you are a newcomer to this fun bi-weekly segment of AllOutdoor.com! If you’re just joining us, we kicked off our deep dive into the Winchester Model 1894 in Part I, where we covered the history of John Browning’s legendary lever-action design. Today, we’re tackling what might be the most confusing aspect of the Model 1894/94: its variations. This is going to be a long one, so settle in.

Variations: Winchester Model 1894/94

Let me be honest right up front: Winchester offered an almost overwhelming array of options and special orders for the Model 1894. For decades, you could walk into a gun shop with a catalog and custom-order darn near anything you wanted: barrel length, barrel profile, stock configuration, engraving, you name it. The Cody Firearms Museum in Wyoming holds the special order books that document this insane variety, and trust me, those records are wild. For the sake of research sanity and word count, we’re focusing on the core production variations, ones I settled on, the actual cataloged models that Winchester manufactured as distinct versions. Everything else, takedown features, octagon barrels, stock options, custom short “Trapper” carbines were features you could add to these base configurations, not variations themselves.

What we’re covering here are the seven true variations of the Winchester Model 1894/94 that you’re actually likely to encounter in the wild.

Above, the Cody Firearms Museum is located at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 To read more, go here. A Part 3 will be posted when available.

Winchester Factory Records

Above, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is an owner of a vintage Winchester rifle, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming has the manufacturing records of several rifle models. Owners can request a letter from the center (they charge a fee) with data on their rifles. They provide manufacturing dates and configuration data.

The records include (from the Winchester Factory Records website):

Winchester Factory Records

Please note: Winchester letters are typically mailed four (4) weeks from date of payment. Members, allow two (2) business days for search returns. Members may submit search requests directly by e-mail to cfmrecords@centerofthewest.org. Be sure to include name and member number with search requests. Limit 5 searches per day.

Winchester factory records cover manufacture from 1873 into the mid-20th century. Records availability and content varies throughout production. Find the full list of available Winchester models and serial number ranges here.

Early Winchesters mfg. 1873 – 1906

Configuration records are available for most firearms manufactured between 1873 and approximately 1906 depending on the model. Configuration information may include caliber, barrel type, trigger type, and any special-order features. Customer data is rarely available for Winchesters. Serial number application date information will be included when available.

Factory letters on these firearms are $80 for individuals who are not Firearms Members of the Center. Learn more about firearms membership here.

Winchesters mfg. 1906 – 1940s

Most Winchester records for firearms manufactured after 1906 to the end of the surviving records only contain dates of manufacture. These date-of-manufacture records are called Serial Number Application (SNA) records. SNA records are available for many of the earlier Winchesters and are automatically included in those serial number searches and factory letters.

Factory letters containing Winchester SNA dates only are $40 for non-members. Learn more about firearms membership here.

Find the full list of available Winchester models and serial number ranges here.

For more information, go here. 

Shooting An Ultra-Rare Smoothbore 1892 Winchester

 Video from The Cinnabar.

Cody KOA Holiday

Above, the office and store of the Cody KOA Holiday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The article in RV Travel on the Cody Firearms Museum (that I just blogged about) recommends several RV parks in town. During our stay in Cody, we stayed at the Cody KOA Holiday, which is a little past the Cody Regional Airport.

It was one of the largest KOAs I've stayed at with plenty of things to do. Our site was a pull-through site. It was nice enough, but if one wants shade (there are no trees around), make use of the RV's awning.

Above, our campsite at the Cody KOA Holiday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Cody is roughly 52 miles from the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park, so it is a handy place to stay. 

The KOA has free shuttles to the Cody nightly rodeo for campers. All one has to do is sign up. We made good use of the city's Uber services for getting into town for our excursions.

To read my review of the Cody KOA Holiday in RV Life Campgrounds, go here.

To make reservations, go to the Cody KOA's page at the KOA Kampground website.

RV Travel's "Visit The Cody Firearms Museum"

Above, the Cody Firearms Museum gives a great history of firearms. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that we're at a month since the trip to Wyoming and other states. Time flies, right? The trip began on July 6.

One of the first things a friend and I did was to visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West to see the Cody Firearms Museum and other museums in the Center. Just visiting the Firearms Museum alone is well worth the price of admission (good for two days, by the way).

Above, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I just so happens that RV Travel posted an article on the Cody Firearms Museum in early June and only this morning I just saw it.

It begins with:

Nestled in the heart of Cody, Wyoming, the Cody Firearms Museum welcomes visitors with an unparalleled collection of firearms and related artifacts.

Whether you’re a firearms enthusiast or simply curious about the role guns have played in shaping our past, this museum is well worth a visit.

Location and accessibility

The Cody Firearms Museum is located at 720 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, WY 82414, within the iconic Buffalo Bill Center of the West complex. As part of a larger cultural center that includes museums dedicated to Western art, natural history, and Plains Indian culture, it’s easy to combine your visit with other attractions.

RVers will find plenty of street parking nearby for tow vehicles. Cody’s downtown area is RV-friendly with several municipal lots and pull-through spaces. The museum is open daily, and tickets can be purchased on-site or in advance through the Buffalo Bill Center’s website.

If one hasn't made any vacation plans this summer, a trip to Cody is well worth one's time!

To read more, go here. 

Buffalo Bill Cody Museum

Above, visitors to the Center are greeted by this statue of Buffalo
Bill Cody at the main entrance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West contains five museums: Whitney Western Art Museum, Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum and the Draper Natural History Museum 

We took in three of them: The Cody Firearms Museum, Plains Indian Museum and the Buffalo Bill Museum.

On the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Center's website states:

A Must-See Wild West Museum

The Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming is one of five museums at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. It’s a western history museum about the museum’s namesake, as well as some of the biggest characters in the West like Annie Oakley, Sitting Bull, Pawnee Bill, and other members of the Wild West Show. 

If you want to learn about cowboy folklore and pop culture on your way through the Yellowstone area, this is your place to visit. 

There were many paintings and photographs of Buffalo Bill Cody in the museum along with artifacts of the era he lived in.

For more information on the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, go here.

Some photos: